Red-Haired Man on a Chair is a painting by British artist Lucian Freud, created in 1962. This artwork is one of his earliest mature works and depicts the artist himself in a seated posture. Freud used hog-hair brushes for this painting, completely moving away from sable brushes.
In the painting, Freud sits perched with his knees tucked under him, wearing a gray suit and brown shoes resting on a chair that appears to be tilted. The environment portrayed in the painting is his studio. A wooden post and discarded pile of cloths behind him give us some insight into the setting.
This self-portrait serves as evidence of Freud’s commitment to canvas throughout his life. His self-portraits range from early years to late stages of life and showcase different techniques and styles he adopted during his career span. To create these portraits, he believed that one must try to paint oneself as another person.
Freud played an essential role in continuing the tradition of portraiture in British painting through his unique perspectives and use of texture. Red-Haired Man on a Chair remains an important piece due to its technical achievements, boldness, vibrancy, realism; it remains highly regarded among collectors worldwide.
